Brazil celebrates independence

WELL wishes poured in from international diplomats as the Brazilian consulate in Cape Town celebrated Brazil’s 195th year of independence.

In Brazil, thousands of civilians and the military took part in parades across all major cities in celebration.

The local consulate hosted its celebration, with international delegates and Brazilians living in Cape Town, at the African Pride hotel on Wednesday.

“Brazil is our Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) partner and it is important for the five countries to unite, from this point of view. I’m very happy to attend this function,” said Chinese Consul-General in Cape Town Kang Yong.

“I would like to express my best wishes for the Brazilian people.

“And since I am in Cape Town and South Africa is also a member of Brics, it’s really meaningful for me to express my best wishes.”

Consul-General of Brazil in Cape Town Carlos Alberto Lopes Asfora added: “For us, this day is a symbol of our independence.

“As a child I used to go to the parade... it was a very special holiday, it was always fun for us parading with the military.

“The beach season also starts, so we’d all go to the beach.

“It is tradition for diplomatic missions to celebrate this day and the embassy in Pretoria will be having a much bigger celebration.

“It is about honouring the country and our love for Cape Town,” Asfora said.

Among the countries represented at the Brazilian consulate celebrations were Switzerland, France, Mozambique, China, Japan, Spain, Portugal and Britain.

Portuguese Consul-General Jose Arsenio said: “I am happy to be here and celebrate, it’s particularly important because of the emotional connection between Portugal and Brazil, there is a strong bond between the countries.

“There is a linkage of a common past and language.

“We share a friendly fraternal relationship. This event feels like coming home, same language, same songs.”

Ruth Alves from Recife, the capital of Brazil’s north-eastern state of Pernambuco, said she was proud to be a Brazilian.

“It feels good that we became the country that we did.

“Although we have heritage coming from different countries, we made a country of our own, a beautiful, colourful country,” said Alves.

Local band Cha Cha Cha entertained the crowds with authentic Bossa Nova, a Brazilian style of music with a sort of classical jazz sound with African, European and American influences.

It is about honouring the country and our love for Cape Town